In modern Hip-hop, supergroups have well become a familiar figure. La Coka Nostra, on the other hand, has proven anything but familiar. For although tracing back its to 2005, the collective born out of House of Pain and Non Phixion stand apart as none like we’ve ever encountered.
Launching into the scene with their memorable 2009 debut, A Brand You Can Trust, fans flocked by the hundreds with the introduction of the group’s mind-piercing content atop ear-shattering performances. Their second album, Masters of the Dark Arts, only continued solidifying their unique brand of Hip-hop donned through cutting-edge lyrical chops against controversial matters.
La Coka Nostra returns to the scene after four years with their announcement of their third installment, To Thine Own Self Be True, which promises nothing but their familiar yet unfamiliar sounds.
“This album was recorded as I walked out of a very dark time toward a place of truth and understanding,” said Slaine pertaining to the record, “this album is a moment in time… It is visceral and real”.
Ill Bill from Non Phixion affirmed to this, as well as conveying the personal qualities thrown into the new mix, which are signified through the album as “a time of unique and individual transformation for each member of the group”:
“Speaking for myself,” Ill Bill continued, “It’s been a heavy last couple of years. It’s definitely the most personal record we’ve made under the La Coka banner and while we’re still making music that’s hard as f—k, there’s a maturity to this latest batch of songs that makes it different from a lot of the older stuff.”
Ill Bill concludes by exclaiming the album’s significance, not only towards their fans, but to themselves as well: “I got a lot off my chest on this one. Making music can be extremely therapeutic and making To Thine Own Self Be True was a rebirth and a re-ignition for me”.
Under the canvas of DJ Lethal’s production, the album will also feature Statik Selektah, Marco Polo, Salam Wreck, and ChumZilla, as well as showcase vocals from Vinnie Paz, Apathy, Q-Unique, Sick Jacken, Skam2, and Rite Hook.
La Coka Nostra has collectively impacted Hip-hop for 25 years with each member, and their enigmatic battle cry resonates with reborn passion as To Thine Own Self Be True releases on November 4th of this year.
By Jods Arboleda for HipHopGods.com
